Product description

The top-selling auto repair guide--400,000 copies sold--now extensively reorganized and updated Forty-eight percent of U.S. households perform at least some automobile maintenance on their own, with women now accounting for one third of this $34 billion automotive do-it-yourself market. For new or would-be do-it-yourself mechanics, this illustrated how-to guide has long been a must and now it's even better. A complete reorganization now puts relevant repair and maintenance information directly after each automotive system overview, making it much easier to find hands-on fix-it instructions. Author Deanna Sclar has updated systems and repair information throughout, eliminating discussions of carburetors and adding coverage of hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. She's also revised schedules for tune-ups and oil changes, included driving tips that can save on maintenance and repair costs, and added new advice on troubleshooting problems and determining when to call in a professional mechanic. For anyone who wants to save money on car repairs and maintenance, this book is the place to start.
Deanna Sclar (Long Beach, CA), an acclaimed auto repair expert and consumer advocate, has contributed to the Los Angeles Times and has been interviewed on the Today show, NBC Nightly News, and other television programs.

Author information

Deanna Sclar is an acclaimed auto repair expert and consumer advocate. She has appeared on hundreds of radio and TV shows including NBC's Today show and the NBC Nightly News. Sclar lectures internationally on the ecological impact of vehicles and is active in promoting residential solar energy programs. Sclar is also the author of Buying a Car For Dummies.

Review quote

‘…covers a wide range of topics…provides a lot of educational content that explains the main principles of how cars work.' (Simple Motors.co.uk, December 2010).

Back cover copy

Get the confidence and know-how you need to fix and maintain your vehicle like a pro!Want to handle basic auto repairs yourself? This easy-to-follow guide gives you the nuts and bolts of diagnosing trouble and performing simple maintenance and repairs on your vehicle. You'll explore each system part by part and keep everything running in tiptop shape. Plus, you'll see how to go green on the road -- from recycling oil and parts to choosing alternatively fueled vehicles. Get to know your vehicle -- understand automotive systems; check under the hood; change a tire; follow basic safety rules; change spark plugs, fuses, and the battery; and replace the air filter and PCV valveKeep cool and in control -- add and change coolant, find and repair leaks, change the oil, and check brakesEnsure a smooth ride -- choose, check, and care for tires; and understand balancing and alignmentHandle emergencies -- identify strange sounds and smells, jump-start your car, handle overheating, and moreWork with a mechanic -- find a reliable service facility, describe problems accurately, and get the best dealExtend your vehicle's value -- clean it inside and out, touch up paint, and fix dings and dentsStay safe on the road -- install child seats properly; learn about rollover protection, traction and stability control, and navigation systems; and moreOpen the book and find: The inner secrets of your vehicle -- what makes it start, run, and stopA step-by-step under-the-hood checklist Advice on buying and using the proper toolsDriving techniques to extend the life of your carEco-friendly tips for saving fuel Helpful illustrations that demonstrate repairsReproducible Specifications and Maintenance Records The pros and cons of alternative fuels and vehicles